Important Deadlines

  • June 28: Film award submission forms due
  • July 12: Materials for ballot due
  • July 19 – August 2: Awards voting
  • July 21: Materials for awards ceremony due from distributors

To Be Eligible

  1. Films must have been released and played at a GSCA member theater between June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024.
  2. If the first playing of a film in a public performance falls between April 1-May 31, 2024, the distributor has the option of allowing the film to be on the ballot for the current year or the following year.
  3. If a film was released prior to 1999 and has been re-edited, it may be submitted for the film awards.
  4. Both the film’s producer and distributor must be current members of GSCA.
  5. Film titles must be submitted for each category in which they wish to compete.
  6. There is no fee to submit films for awards consideration.
  7. Except for Best Film-Feature Length, films must be under 60 minutes in length.
  8. Please note that distributors must submit film titles for each category in which they wish to compete. No film is automatically eligible for any category.

Process

  1. Once films have been submitted, GSCA will contact distributors to get content. Distributors are encouraged to submit links to footage highlighting the specific categories  submitted.
  2. These links will be included on the ballot for voter consideration.
  3. A film award ballot will be sent to the voting contact at each member organization.
  4. Winners will be announced at the GSCA Conference in September.

Film Award Categories

  • Best Film, Short Subject
  • Best Film, Feature Length
  • Best Film for Lifelong Learning
    • Film which best represents the development and presentation of giant screen film experiences from a lifelong learning point of view. Criteria below will guide voters in their selection. The film:
      • conveys useful information and/or dispels misconceptions and encourages reflective/critical thinking
      • introduces new roles and perspectives
      • uses familiar starting points but stretches viewer interests and extends their knowledge
      • entertaining and compelling
      • motivates viewer interest in the film’s topic
      • provides a variety of experiences to meet the needs of viewers of different ages and from different backgrounds
      • provides effective educational resources for further learning
      • aspires to be meaningful to multinational audiences and languages
  • Best Visual Effects
    • Voters should consider overall achievement of the visual effects within the film where the visual effects are a visible, essential, and integral part of the story, and the artistry, skill, and fidelity with which the visual illusions are achieved.
  • Best Cinematography
  • Best Sound Design
    • Voters should consider the audio elements of the soundtrack that do not include music composition but do include location recording, sound effects, foley, dialogue, and final mix.
  • Best Original Score
    • Voters should consider the instrumental music created expressly for the film, which underscores the action and supports its dramatic needs. A great score is one that provides dramatic power, humor, thematic beauty, emotional impact, and/or any other musical attribute of significance to the film.

Materials for inclusion on the ballot: Due July 12

  1. Link to Trailer or Film Scenes to Include on the Ballot:
    1. The trailer/scenes provided should not exceed 3 minutes total.
    2. Different links may be sent for specific categories to highlight what best represents that awards category. Specify the award category for each link.
  2. Key Art and Film Title Graphic File
    1. High-resolution (300dpi and higher) JPEG files.
  3. Film Credits
    1. The credits included on submission form will be used on the ballot and during the awards ceremony.
    2. Additional credits or corrections should be supplied as soon as possible.
  4. Supplemental Documents (optional)
    1. Supplemental documents and behind-the-scenes videos (up to two minutes each) can be included for each category explaining that aspect of the film production. For example, you may want to explain the film’s VFX or sound production process. Documents should be provided as PDFs.

Video Footage for Awards Ceremony: Due August 2

Trailer to be edited into the montage of all nominated films at the Awards Ceremony:

  • Resolution Recommend: DCI 4k, 4096 x 2160 (Minimum: 1920×1080)
  • Framerate 24fps or 23.97fps *no high frame rate footage
  • Video Codec Recommend: DNxHR HQ, ProRes 422 or DI equivalent
  • Audio: PCM,
  • Container: .MOVor .MXF
  • Dynamic Range: SDR